Uttarakhand CM’s daughter kicks off poll campaign

Radhika Nagrath,
Haridwar

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Updated: Mar 12, 2014 23:17 IST

The ruling Congress launched its poll campaign in Haridwar on Wednesday. Anupama Rawat, daughter of Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat, kicked off a rally on his behalf from Saptrishi in Bhupatwala on Wednesday.

Around 3 pm, the chief minister joined her along with state party president Yashpal Arya at Devpura Chowk. During the rally, party leaders publicised the government’s achievements.

The number of people in the rally increased from 75 in the beginning to 150 people as it moved from Saptrishi to Devpura Chowk.

Anupama has a good chance of getting the Congress ticket for the Haridwar parliamentary seat.

“Party activists will visit business establishments and residential colonies canvassing for votes during the three days before Holi,” said OP Chauhan, president party Haridwar unit. Brahmswaroop Brahmchari, who is also in the race for the ticket, addressed workers highlighting party’s achievements.

STAY UNITED, RAWAT TELLS WORKERS

As chief minister Harish Rawat was delayed in coming for the padyatra, his daughter Anupama Rawat started the rally at 1 pm herself. She seemed keen to be photographed kicking off the rally.

Party vice-president Rahul Gandhi had decided to hold week-long padyatras in all Lok Sabha constituencies to reach out to the masses ahead of the next general elections in May. In Haridwar this rally would be held for 7 days, except during the Holi festival.

For three days from Wednesday, the rally would cover other prominent areas of the city including local markets, weekly peeth bazaars and town areas.

Harish Rawat called upon party workers to remain united. Addressing the rally at Devpura Chowk, Harish Rawat urged party workers to shed differences and work in a united way. He seemed to have got an indication of the infighting for the Congress ticket.